Coral culture system based on a ring or washer

ABSTRACT

A coral ring mount device and method for the propagative culture of sessile benthic marine organisms (for example, stony corals) employing either a ring, washer or threaded nut or similar as a propagule mount upon which the coral is set in order to attach, grow and overgrow within a coral nursery system. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, once the coral is grown onto the ring mount and to its requisite size and condition, the ring mount becomes the washer through which passes a screw to secure the ring and coral to the seafloor.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/544,560 titled, “CORAL NURSERY AND PLANTING SYSTEM BASED ON A RING ORWASHER MOUNT, which claims the benefit of the priority of U.S.Provisional App. 62/719,345, titled, “CORAL NURSERY AND PLANTING SYSTEMBASED ON A RING OR WASHER MOUNT”, filed on Aug. 17, 2018, thedisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Art

The disclosure relates to the field of coral reef cultivation, plantingand restoration techniques, in particularly to a coral nursery apparatusand its application.

Discussion of the State of the Art

Caribbean mean coral coverage has declined from some 50% to less than15% since the mid-1970s due to disease and other issues related to humandisturbance including overfishing, sewage and other pollutions andphysical impacts such as dredging and coastal development. Many reefs ofother seas have similarly suffered.

Losses and impacts to ecosystem services related to these corals haveincluded reductions in ecosystem and fishery productivity, beach andcoastal erosion and infrastructure damage requiring costly engineeringand losses in coastal and submarine aesthetics including tourism draw.Furthermore, upward-growing (coral) reef is vital to mitigating theimpacts of sea-level rise related to global climate change. Strong,reproductively functional populations of coral and other reef fauna andflora are vital to long-term adaptability to rising sea conditions oftemperature, pH, currents etc. related to increasing atmospheric CO₂.

Many sessile benthic marine organisms including hard and soft corals,sponges and the like employ vegetative asexual fragmentation in colonyexpansion. In this, such organisms readily fracture and reattach to newseafloor or to other. This element of the their natural may be employedin active nursery culture including ongoing re-fragmentation,propagation and replanting for enhancement and restoration underhorticultural and forestry themes (i). Active facilitation of spawningand larval settlement may also provide corals of novel genetic lineagesfor the such vegetative culture, or simply for planting back to theseafloor or structure.

Current methodologies in both the nursery setup and the planting ofthese cultured organisms rely on knots, nails, cable-ties, cements oradhesives, all of which require dedicated technician capacities and timeunder stable or calm sea conditions. These disjointed activities greatlylimit per-time and per-technician productivity and therein scalability,increase propagule losses including mortalities, and limit the possiblelocations for planting including to exposed positions for the purposesof wave attenuation. What is needed is a rapid, linearly streamlinedsystem in i) attachment of the propagule to a nursery device, followedby ii) immediate, mechanical attachment of the cultured organism to theseabed via that same device

What is needed is a simplified and accelerated attachment of propaguleto a mounting device, followed by accelerated out-planting with thatsame mounting device and its coral to the seabed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the inventor has conceived and reduced to practice in apreferred embodiment based on a ring or washer device which the coralpropagule is affixed, grown and then secured to the seafloor.

According to a preferred embodiment of the inventions, the coral ringmount is a device and method for the propagative culture of sessilebenthic marine organisms (for example, stony corals) employing either aring, washer or threaded nut or similar as propagule mount, here forwardreferred to as the ring mount, upon which the coral is set in order toattach, grow and overgrow within a coral nursery system. In thepreferred embodiment of the invention, once the coral is grown onto thering mount and to its requisite size and condition, the ring mountbecomes the washer through which passes a screw to secure the ring andcoral to the seafloor.

In some embodiments, the small coral propagule is affixed to the ringmount with a segment of wire or (fishing) line or with an adhesive. In apreferred embodiment, a segment of fine wire is wrapped around a smallring with two equal length ends left free. The coral propagule is thenset between the ring-connection those ends in contact with the ring, andthe ends are drawn together over the propagule. The wire ends aretwisted until the propagule and ring are secured together. In a furtherembodiment, a line or cable-tie is passed through the ring and aroundthe propagule, and then tightened until the ring and propagule aresecure and immobile. In a further embodiment, a ring is fabricated witha line affixed, with a one-way tightening attachment and tighteningpoint for said line. The propagule is wrapped with the line and the endof the line secured and tightened into the attachment point until thepropagule and ring are secured immobile. A further embodiment is a ringfabricated embedded with a wire as perthe preferred embodiment. The endsof the in-built wire wrap the propagule and twist at its far side tosecure it immobile to the ring mount. A further embodiment provides aflattened, hooked or toothed area on the ring to anchor or otherwisefacilitate immobilization of the propagule, or to facilitate use ofadhesives. A further embodiment provides a small male snap, button orthreaded point protruding from the ring mount to hold a planulasettlement button or other propagule holding device.

In a preferred embodiment, the ring mount with its attached coralpropagule is set within a loosely tensioned line by passing a loop ofsaid line through the ring, then opening the loop and passing it aroundthe ring again to secure the ring within the line as the line istightened. In another embodiment, a line or rigid rod will beprefabricated with a plurality of ring mounts along the line's length.In another embodiment, the ring mount may be secured to a nursery lineor rod with a knotted line segment, wire, clip, cable-tie or adhesive.In a further embodiment, the support line or rod may be threaded throughthe ring and the ring secured at a point along said line or rod with aknotted line segment, wire, clip, tie or adhesive. In a furtherembodiment, a hook and/or securing clip may be incorporated into thering's structure by which the ring is secured to the supporting device.A single or a plurality of lines or rods may be set as a nursery arraywithin a rigid framework, or one or more lines may be anchored to theseabed and held taught by a mid-water buoy or suspended from above in avertical deployment. In further uses and embodiments, the ring mount isaffixed to corals already growing in other nursery types or to wildcorals to facilitate planting or replanting. In further embodiments, thering may be set over a rigid shaft oriented either vertically orhorizontally, including a threaded shaft with threaded nuts, rubberwashers or similar providing spacers, or with a threaded nut providingthe coral ring mount. A further embodiment may also be a tapered rodholding the ring and propagule at a given height above a substrate,particularly within ex situ raceway culture or within various benthic,table or mid-water buoyant support frameworks.

The preferred embodiment in coral out-planting from the nursery isthrough drilling a hole into hard substrate, setting the ring to thishole and passing a masonry screw through the ring and into said hole.The screw is then tightened down to secure the ring (as a washer),holding the coral against the planted substrate: an improvement oversystems known in the art. In other embodiments, a naturally occurringhole in the reef may negate drilling a hole. In other embodiments, athreaded rod may be secured into said substrate hole and a threaded nutemployed to secure the ring mount and coral. In such an embodiment thenut may be the ring mount. The threaded rod or nut may be set or pre-setto an artificial reef structure for the ring mount and coral to besecured with a threaded nut or bolt. In further embodiments, a spikewith threaded top may be set or driven into the seafloor and ring mountand nursery-derived coral secured thereto. A further embodiment againmay employ a nail or staple securing the ring to the reef, or a tie,wire wrap or tightly knotted line securing the ring mount to a naturalprojection in the reef or to a set nail. A further embodiment may employcement or adhesive to secure the ring mount and coral to the reef.

According to the embodiment, by using simplified and streamlinedmaterials and set-up, rapid live propagule attachment, high-survivorshipand high-growth followed by a streamlined, rapid and immediately secureplanting process suggests particular cost savings allowing increases inprogrammatic scale. This device allows the application of asilvicultural mindset to marine species and ecosystem enhancementsand/or restorations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The accompanying drawings illustrate several embodiments of theinvention and, together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of embodiments of the invention according to the embodiments.It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the particularembodiments illustrated in the drawings are merely exemplary and are notto be considered as limiting of the scope of the invention or the claimsherein in any way.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of the inventionsbase elements, and (coral) propagule attachment the (coral) propagule tothe ring mount by wrapping the wire, line or cable-tie through the ringand around the propagule and tightening to secure the ring and propaguletogether into a ring mount assembly or planting unit.

FIG. 2 illustrates and exemplary embodiment of the invention attachingthe ring mount assembly to a support line under light or adjustabletension. A loop is made in the line and threaded through the ring(mount) and drawn over the ring mount assembly. Tension is then returnedto the line to draw the loop tight around the ring (mount), holding thering mount assembly securely. In a similar embodiment of the invention,the ring mount may be set to the support line and the (coral) propaguleset to this ring afterwards. Within a further embodiment, the propagulemay be set between the empty ring mount and the tensioned loop, to beheld to the ring mount by the line under tension. In any suchembodiments, the supporting line or wire may be in a vertical,horizontal or other configuration.

FIG. 3 illustrates and exemplary embodiment of the invention whichattaches the ring mount assembly to a pre-tensioned line, wire or to arigid rod using a segment line or wire, a cable-tie or similar. Withinsuch an embodiment, the ring may be set to the support line/rod with thepropagule set to the ring afterwards. Unillustrated embodiments mayinclude use of adhesives at any of the attachment points or threadingthe support line/rod through the ring and securing from the insiderather than the outside. In any such embodiments, the supporting line orwire may be in a vertical, horizontal or another configuration.

FIG. 4 . is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of prefabricatedversions of FIGS. 1 and 2 , wherein the propagule and/or supportattachments are integrated into a ring mount. In the initial embodiment,a propagule attachment line or wire is pre-fabricated as part of thering mount, and within the ring mount is a tapered, toothed or ratchetedgroove or perforation through which the pre-set line passes to make aloop containing the propagule. That loop wraps and is pulled tight tosecure the propagule. An embodiment of the invention not illustrated isa ring mount with paired wires emanating from the ring mount to bewrapped and twisted to secure the propagule. The line/tie or the wireembodiments may be oriented parallel or perpendicular to ring mount tofacilitate various coral morphologies and growth or morphologicalintentions. A further embodiment pre-sets several ring mounts along aline or rod. A further pre-fabricated embodiment includes a hook and/orclip device at the opposite end of the ring mount to the coralattachment point, with said hook and/or clip device securing the ringmount assembly to the supporting line, wire or rod.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of an exemplary out-planting process forprepared, grown (coral) material. The matured ring mount assembly isdetached from the support line, wire or rod and a hole is drilled intothe to-be-planted structure or substrate, usually native reef. Anappropriate screw is then set through the ring and into the drill-holeand tightened to secure the screw and ring mount assembly, as per ascrew and washer analogy. The secured coral then overgrows the seafloorin self-attachment and renewed growth, according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are a series of illustrations of variation to the ringmount for various embodiments of the invention, including a ring mountwith a crescent attachment point that may pinch a cylindrical coralmorphology, and a ring mount with a stabilizing rod intended for largerpropagules including of an intended growth direction. Such embodimentsmay secure the propagule to the ring mount as perthe above secondaryand/or pre-fabricated embodiments. Such embodiments may be oriented inany configuration to the ring mount according to the intended propaguleor planted coral morphology.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of an exemplary press-grip and/or tighteningwrap propagule attachment points for the ring mount. Unillustratedembodiments include a simplified biaxial braid (towing sock) of wovenfilaments and downward tightening tab in lieu of the barbed pins.Unillustrated embodiments include a single barbed or male-threadedcentral spear to be inserted and secured into a small hole drilled intothe propagule.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of an exemplary use of the ring mount tosecure and grow very small propagules or settled larvae via a settlementsnap, by threading the snap's through-hole through the ring mount lineor segment to secure it as perthe previous embodiments of the invention.A preferred embodiment uses a ring mount fabricated with theself-securing through-press barbed or threaded button for saidsettlement snap.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of an exemplary soft-tension system in avertical orientation based on a float anchored mid-water providingtensioning positive buoyancy, according to an embodiment of theinvention. An alternative orientation of this vertically orientedexample may include a weighted line suspended from a buoyant or stiltedframework, or a dock.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of an exemplary hard-tension system whereinthe support lines with or previous to setting ring mount assemblies aretied taught into a rigid structural frame. A further embodiment mayemploy wires or rigid rods rather than taught lines, or a wireframework. The structural frame may be oriented vertically orhorizontally. It may be suspended from the surface or mid-water underbuoyancy or elevated atop supporting legs. Further embodiments mayemploy any of the ring mount assembly embodiments. Embodiments of thisinvention may occur within outside of the sea under raceway, tank oraquarium culture.

FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D are illustrations of the use of the ringmount in facilitation of re-planting of established corals either wild,or within this or another form of nursery culture, particularlydrop-attachment suspensions. In such an embodiment of the invention, thering mount is secured to the coral and the coral is allowed to overgrowit, securing the ring mount into its tissues and skeleton. The coralportion with secured ring mount is then excised from the coral andsecured to the intended planting substrate.

FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 12C are illustrations of embodiments of theinvention supporting the ring mount assembly in a fixed or rigid tableassembly either undersea or in raceway, tanks or aquarium culturedoutside of the sea.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The inventor has conceived, and reduced to practice, coral nursery andplanting system based on a small ring or washer affixed temporarily toan elevating support device.

One or more different inventions may be described in the presentapplication. Further, for one or more of the inventions describedherein, numerous alternative embodiments may be described; it should beappreciated that these are presented for illustrative purposes only andare not limiting of the inventions contained herein or the claimspresented herein in any way. One or more of the inventions may be widelyapplicable to numerous embodiments, as may be readily apparent from thedisclosure. In general, embodiments are described in sufficient detailto enable those skilled in the art to practice one or more of theinventions, and it should be appreciated that other embodiments may beutilized and that structural or other changes may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the particular inventions. Accordingly, oneskilled in the art will recognize that one or more of the inventions maybe practiced with various modifications and alterations. Particularfeatures of one or more of the inventions described herein may bedescribed with reference to one or more particular embodiments orfigures that form a part of the present disclosure, and in which areshown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments of one or more ofthe inventions. It should be appreciated, however, that such featuresare not limited to usage in the one or more particular embodiments orfigures with reference to which they are described. The presentdisclosure is neither a literal description of all embodiments of one ormore of the inventions nor a listing of features of one or more of theinventions that must be present in all embodiments.

Headings of sections provided in this patent application and the titleof this patent application are for convenience only and are not to betaken as limiting the disclosure in any way.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a fragment-to-ring mountattachment using a short segment of line or wire to wrap and secure a(coral) propagule or fragment for nursery growth. According to theembodiment, the affixing wire/line 102 is passed through the ring mount101 and around the (coral) propagule 103 and wrapped tightly 105. Thewire or line is then twisted or knotted and tightened around thepropagule until the propagule is secure and immobile in reference to thering mount 106 as the ring mount assembly. The terms ring mount assemblyand planting unit general terms for the embodiments of the inventionwherein the ring mount and coral are secure together, particularly underthe intention that the coral material securely overgrow this assembly,as per 501, 710, 813, 1104, 1111, similar and unillustrated embodimentsof the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment in securing a ring mountassembly to a loosely or variably tensioned line. The line 201 is loopedand said loop passed through and over the ring mount assembly 202. Astension is then returned to the loop, the loop tightens around the ringmount of the ring mount assembly 203, securing it into the line 204. Aplurality of ring mount assemblies may be set to a line.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment in securing the ring mountassembly to a pre-tensioned line, wire or rigid rod using a secondaryattachment device. The ring mount is set against the tensioned line,wire or rigid rod 301 and secured with a wrapped segment of wire or lineor a cable-tie or similar 302, which is tightened through pulling,twisting or a knot 304 to secure the ring mount into place within thetensioned line, wire or rod. The support line/rod 301 may be passedthrough the ring prior to securing 304. A plurality of ring mounts withor without propagules may be set to a line, wire, rod or within asupporting mesh in this embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment wherein the ring mount isfabricated with a pre-set attachment line/wire with or without ratchetteeth 401 and a pre-set groove, hole or perforation in the ring mountbody with or without ratchet teeth, catches, taper or similar one-way ortightening hold-fast 402. The propagule is held to the ring mount 403and wrapped tightly with the pre-set attachment line 404. The line isthen passed through the self-tightening hole 405 and drawn tight 406 tosecure the propagule 407 as the ring mount assembly. The end of theattachment line may then be cut away 408. Unillustrated embodiments ofthe prefabricated embodiment include a pre-set wire to wrap andtwist-tight the propagule have been noted previously in this document(Paragraph 20). A plurality of such ring mount assemblies and/or ringmounts may be set to a line, wire or rod. A further embodiment to thisinvention fabricates a line 409 of a plurality of ring mounts 410. Afurther embodiment to this invention fabricates the ring mount with ahook and/or clip device 411, 412 for securing 414 the ring mountassembly to the supporting line, wire, rod 413, 415.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of an exemplary out-planting process. The ringmount assembly having overgrown much of its ring mount and/or otherwisematured 501 is removed or detached 502 from the support line, wire orrod 503. A hole 506 is drilled into a planting structure or substrate,usually the seafloor 505. In alternative embodiments, existing holes inthe substrate may be employed, either naturally occurring or pre-setinto an artificial substrate including threaded holes or nuts. A screwof appropriate size 504 is set through the ring mount and into the hole507. The screw is then tightened into the hole 508 to secure the ringmount-coral assembly immobile to the planting substrate 509 and theliving (coral) material contacting the substrate 510 in this embodiment.The planted coral then overgrows the screw, ring and substrate incontinued growth 511.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are illustrations of variations to the ring mount tosecure or further stabilize the propagule including larger and ofvarious morphologies. In the first illustrated embodiment, the ringmount 601 is fabricated with a semi-circle or springing enclosingcrescent element 602 oriented to the ring mount according to themorphology of the intended propagule. The crescent elements are then setto grip the propagule 604 to form the ring mount assembly. Furtherembodiments of these variations may include pre-set line 605 and lockingthrough-perforation 606 elements to secure the propagule 607. Pre-setwrapping wires or barbed or hooked ends to the crescent elementsrepresent unillustrated embodiments to the invention. A furtherembodiment to the invention is a ring mount rigidity element 608 that,when set oriented according to 609 and overgrown within the ring mountassembly, provides further rigidity to the coral, particularly largercorals. The rigidity element may be oriented to the ring mount accordingto the morphology of the intended coral including larger and maturecorals. This is extended to corals of a single intended growthorientation or larger propagules 612 by a single direction of supportingelement 610, possibly to include a foot element at base 611 for a betterstabilized larger planting unit with a top and bottom 613.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of an exemplary press-grip and/or tighteningwrap propagule attachments for the ring mount, including a base plate701 supporting a plurality of inwardly barbed 702 stalks. The (propagule703 is pressed 702 within the barbed stalks until it abuts the basedplate. The barbs are therein pressed outwards against an inward tensionto secure the propagule 705. The barbed stalks may be secured with asegment of wire or line, as exemplified in the figure as a pre-setsecuring line 706 with locking through-perforation 707, as per previousembodiments. The line is tightly wrapped around the propagule and barbedstalks 708 and through the locking perforation 709, securing thepropagule within the stalks and against the base plate to form the ringmount assembly. The propagule therein overgrows the barbs, rods,attachment line and a portion of the ring mount 710.

In a further unillustrated embodiment, the press-grip or tightening wrapmay be set to a clipped or branch end of a mature wild or nursery-heldcoral.

FIG. 8 represents an exemplary use of the ring mount to secure and growa planular settlement snap 801, the snap being a device for thesettlement, attachment and preliminary growth of coral larvae and verysmall coral propagules 803 under nursery culture. In the upperillustrated embodiment, the ring mount with pre-fabricated line andlocking perforation has its line threaded 804 tightly through thesettlement snap's through-hole 802, around or through the ring mountperforation 805 to be tightened and secured immobile 808. The ends ofthe attachment line or wire are then clipped away 807. In the preferredembodiment of the lower illustration, the ring mount is fabricated witha male settlement snap button 809 over which the settlement snap'sthrough-hole 802 is pressed 810 with a securing “snap” 812 as thesecured snap and its pre-settled juvenile coral 811 as the coral mountassembly. The juvenile coral matures in nursery to overgrow the buttonor attachment line, the snap and a portion of the ring mount 813 inpreparation for planting.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of an exemplary soft-tension ring mount coralnursery system in a vertical orientation. A float 901 tethered mid-wateragainst a benthic/substrate 906 anchor 905 provides a soft tension tothe structural line 902, to which one or several ring mounts or ringmount-coral assemblies 904 are attached, in this illustrative embodimentvia a tensioned through-loop 903. An alternative within this verticallyoriented embodiment may have a structural element or (surface) buoy 908providing an anchor to a negatively buoyant mass 909 to provide the softtension in the line. Alternate embodiments with a rigid rod or wire at902 may employ secondary ties at the wire/rod attachment 903 orprefabricated line-ring mount assemblies, as per FIG. 4 .

In some embodiments, the support element 809 may be provided by abuoyant bar, boat, barge or dock or similar structure or a vertical lineset taught between such structures. Such as system may support aplurality of nursery lines, wires or rods.

In some embodiments, a rigid spacer bar or rod may be set towards thebottom to keep softly tensioned lines spaced. Said rod may be negativelybuoyant to provide downward tension from a surface buoyant or stiltedstructure, or positively buoyant at the surface as the support structureto a negatively weighted system, or positively buoyant set mid-waterover benthic-anchored line, wire or rod systems.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of an exemplary rigid frame nursery system tosupport adjustable or permanently tensioned lines, wires or rods, or ataught meshwork thereof. In this embodiment, a plurality of tensionedlines 1002 are each set with a plurality of ring mount assemblies 1001and secured into a rigid frame 1003 elevated above the seafloor uponsupporting legs 1004 or buoyed midwater beneath floats 1005. Alternativeembodiments may attach the ring mount 1001 first, with the (coral)propagule set afterwards, or to incorporate the propagule within theline-ring mount loop directly and forgo the tie. Further embodiments mayemploy a fabricated line with affixed ring mounts, as per FIG. 4 .Further embodiments may employ a pre-tightened line, wire, rigid rod ormesh 1002 and affix the ring mount to said taught or rigid structurewith a secondary wire, line or tie. In further and various embodiments,the structural frame may be oriented vertically, horizontally or inother orientations supported by legs, midwater floats, surface floats orother support structures. Further embodiments may be employed withintank or raceway cultures outside of the sea. In some embodiments, aplurality of frames may be erected atop one another on spacer-legs orbeneath buoys.

In a preferred embodiment, the frame 1003 may be arranged vertically toreduce the number of support legs or buoys required. However, in otherembodiments, frame 1003 may be supported in any orientation.

A support frame may hold tensioned lines, wires, rods or meshes ofvarious attachment devices and embodiments and species.

In some embodiments, the rectangular (or similar) rigid frame 1003 maybe replaced by two end-bars held taught by positive or negative buoyancyor braced on the seafloor, with the nursery lines 1002 held taughtbetween these bars. In further embodiments, a spring, elasticated lineor similar may also be employed to provide tension, as may a buoy ormass applied to the 1002 line and passing around the frame 1003.

In some embodiments, the one or more lines, wires or rods 1002 may beattached to the frame 1003 with, for example, an adjustable ortightening knot around the frame structure or clip to such a knot or,for example, via a tightening device such as a turnbuckle, thread-nutassembly or similar.

In some embodiments, frame 1003 may provide suspend, via positive ornegative buoyancy, live source coral material and a ring mount-coralassemblies not yet set to lines within the frame 1002, or lines underconstruction.

FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D are illustrations for the setting of ringmounts to larger corals for relocation and planting. In the initialexample, a larger coral established to a stable (wild reef) substrate1101 has ring mounts 1103 attached to one or several of its maturebranches 1102. Once the ring mounts are overgrown and secured within thecoral tissue and skeleton 1104, the branch is cut from the parent coralat a point below the ring mount 1105, providing the practitioner with alarge coral with a solid base-point for securing to the seafloorelsewhere 1113. The remainder of parent coral heals the cut lesion andmay be left to continue to grow in place.

In the second illustrative example of this embodiment of the invention,a large coral is in drop-attachment nursery culture 1106, suspended froma support line or rod 1107 by its drop-line 1108 and having partiallyovergrown this drop-line 1109. Ring mounts are set to this establishedcoral adjacent to the drop-line attachment point 1110. Specificvariations defined above may be employed per the corals morphology orintended planting such as a stabilizing extension to the ring mount 1110a. Once the ring mounts are overgrown and secured within the coraltissue and skeleton 1111, the branch is cut from the established nurserycoral 1112 for planting to the seabed. In this embodiment, several suchplanting units may be collected to leave the central drop-lineattachment point for healing and regrowth within said nursery

In the third illustrative example, the larger coral colony 1113 is ableto be firmly and quickly secured 1118 to the substrate 1114 via itspre-incorporated and stabilized ring mount 1116 and a screw 1117, as perFIG. 5 , without the requisite labor/time investments of tie-downmethods nor the time and live tissue losses of cements and adhesives. Assecured with live tissue in direct contact with the hard substrate andwithout further injury 1115, the coral may quickly overgrow saidsubstrate 1121 for full and permanent establishment 1120.

FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 12C illustrate several elevating mount embodimentsof the invention, providing one or a plurality of male elevators, onefor each female ring mount-coral assembly. A table or perforated or meshframe 1201 of an undersea benthic or buoyant mid-water nursery, or oftank or raceway culture outside of the sea, in one embodiment supports aconical elevator 1201. The ring mount-coral assembly 1203 is then setover this cone with the propagule suspended with minimal hindrance 1204.Another embodiment is a threaded male rod 1205 with a threaded orelasticated stopper or nut at a lower point appropriate to the intendedsize of the coral propagule 1206. The ring mount-coral assembly is thenset over the threaded rod to rest atop the stopper, and secured intoplace with an upper nut or stopper 1208. Some further embodimentsinclude a structure with a permanent lower stopper for the shape of alower-case T 1209. The ring mount-coral assembly ring is set over thetop of the T to rest atop the lower stopper bar 1211 and is secured witha clip or small O-ring 1201. Further embodiments of the inventionprovide a clip that secures the ring portion of the ring mount assembly1212, holding the propagule inverted in the ring mount assembly 2013 andelevated receptacle 1214 for a projection to the ring mount 1215 toagain hold the propagule securely inverted 1216. Mounting embodimentsnot illustrated include vertical suspension of the mesh or table nurserydevice, or setting of such mounts to a taught or vertically suspendedline or rod.

Operation

In a preferred embodiment, the technician sets the nursery line supportframe 1103 into the sea in the general area of works, and loosely drapesa prepared line to this frame. The line is of a flexible non-stretchingmaterial (Spectra™, for example) of a relatively high strength(more-than 80 lb test), prepared with stainless steel spinners at thetwo ends and marked at increments appropriate to the size and morphologyof the intended coral species and intended growth duration. The line issomewhat longer than the length of the frame to account for length usedin through-wrapping the ring mount. An antifoulant treatment on the lineand the frame is optional.

The technician then sources an appropriate parent or donor coral with abag containing a known count of empty ring mounts 101, each pre-preparedwith attachment wire segments 102. The ring mount or the attachment wiremay be of a parent-indicator color. Small (coral) propagule fragments103 are clipped from the source-coral with side-cut pliers and each isimmediately secured to its own ring mount as ring mount assemblies 106and placed into a bag. The attachment should be tight enough that thepropagule does not move against or around the ring mount. As such, thering mount may be roughened, textured or with a flattened face in someembodiments as traction. Setting a known number of ring mount assembliesaccording to the number of marked wrap points on the support lineprecludes excessive harvest impact on the parent coral and related wasteof coral material. Assuming adequate and appropriately presented parentmaterial and water stillness, an experienced technician on SCUBA can setfifty (50) ring mount-coral assemblies may be bagged in 30 minutes;massive, mounding and pillar coral morphologies are more time-consumingthan plating and branching species, including fire and soft-corals andsponges. The technician then carries the bag of coral mount assembliesto the location of the nursery frame and prepared support line.

At the nursery, the technician makes a small loop the prepared, drapedline and pushes said loop through the ring mount, then bring the looparound the ring mount assembly. The technician then applies some tensionto the line to secure the loop into the line. The technician maymanually adjust the loops to their most appropriate or secure positionon the ring mount prior to applying full tension. According toexperimentation, this process takes approximately twenty (20) secondsper ring mount assembly. The technician then fills the remaining markedpoints on the line with the ring mount assemblies from the bag.

The technician then wraps a length of strong line (100 Lb nylonmonofilament, for example) through in a full wrap of the nursery frame'sbar and through the loop of one of the nursery line's end-spinners toconnect the ends of the attachment line with a modified cinch knot. Thisoccurs at both end of the nursery line to set it loosely into the frame,after which the cinch knots are tightened against the frame bar to drawthe nursery line taught. Tightening of the line fully secures the ringmounts into their positions in the line. Subsequent lines are setsimilarly, spaced according to the intended working and final sizes ofthe nursery corals.

The technician maintains the system by keeping the lines taught andoverall system clean of flotsam and fouling organisms. In initial daysto weeks, the propagule heals and begins to overgrow the ring mount andattachment line, including the twists, knots or catches thereof, makingpermanent the connections of the ring mount-coral assembly within thetissues and skeleton. Over subsequent weeks to months the suspendedcorals continue to grow to an out-planting size according toprogrammatic goals or processes.

In planting, a general reef location is chosen by the technician and/ortechnical team according to programmatic and logistical parameters. Thetechnician then removes an established line of appropriately maturedring mount assemblies/planting units from the nursery frame and, on theseafloor adjacent to the nursery, the planting unit is detached from thesupport line by loosening tension and unwrapping the connecting loop orby cutting the line and/or line-ring connection and carefully sets theminto a transport box or bag. The bag is then transported to the plantingsite. Alternatively, one end of the line may be set to a small buoy andthe line with corals swum to the intended planting site. Furtherembodiments may wrap the line with corals in place around a core fortransportation to the planting site. In such an embodiment, the linewith corals may be re-set to a further support system in a vertical orhorizontal orientation at or near to the planting site for a period oftime in order to adapt to the planting site conditions prior to plantingto the seafloor, or simply as safe-storage while planting occurs fromsaid line.

At the planting site the technician chooses planting locations at fineand per-coral scales, usually based on specific cleanliness andelevation of specific points of reef. Theoretically, corals are bestplanted to elevated locations that are relatively clean of macroalgaeand sediment; such fine scales and locations are available to variousembodiments of this invention and method. Once a planting point ischosen, the technician drills a hole 506 appropriate to the size of thering mount and its masonry screw 504. The drill will be appropriate tounderwater applications: a battery-operated sealed electric unit,pneumatic or hydraulic drive. Once a hole is drilled into stablesubstrate, then the ring of the planting unit is set over said hole insuch a way that the coral is best anchored for the morphology, size andlocation, and a masonry screw set through the ring and into the drilledhole. The masonry screw is then screwed into the hole 507, 1118, eitherby powered drill or by hand screwdriver, until the coral tissue issecurely in contact with solid substrate and does not move with a lighttap 509. The technician then moves to the next planting-point with thenext coral until the bag or suspended storage line is exhausted. Inshallow water an experienced technician may perform this work on snorkelor breath-hold; however, in deeper water this work requires SCUBA orsimilarly supplied breathing air. An experienced technician withuniformly solid substrate, calm sea conditions and a good drill maycomfortably set one ring mount-coral assembly per minute, thus at leastsixty (60) corals per hour. At sites of crustose calcareous algaeforming holes in the reef the technician need not drill holes, greatlyaccelerating planting speeds. Although rougher sea conditions may slowplanting rates, secure planting may continue through such days, as thetime for cements or adhesives to cure is not required.

Over subsequent weeks, the secured corals will overgrow the underlyingsubstrate and the screw head. The technician checks them periodically toensure that this is happening and, where it is not, the screw may befurther tightened or secondary branch wedging, monofilament tie-down orcements/adhesives may be applied.

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

In some embodiments, the propagule may be inserted into the ring mountto tensioned line attachment loop at 203, forgoing the need for a lineor wire wrap attachment.

In some embodiments, the tensioned line, wire or rod may be passedthrough the ring mount and the ring mount-coral assembly secured theretowith a tie, wire, adhesive or similar.

In some embodiments, the ring mounts may be set to the line, wire or rodand propagules set thereto afterwards.

In some embodiments, the ring mount-coral assembly may be attached tothe line, wire or rod with a short segment of line, suspending thembelow the main line.

In some embodiments, one or a plurality of ring mount assemblies may beset to by a single segment of line suspended from a benthic, floating ormid-water buoyed framework.

In some embodiments, clips or clasps, including those with integratedspinners, may be used at the line ends to accelerate and simplify setupand adjustment.

In some embodiments, a predator dam may comprise a flat disc or conicaldevice set within the line, wire or rod or the frame anchor line orelevator leg that inhibits along-line access by crawling corallivors(coral and polyp-eating) including starfish, snails and worms.

In some embodiments, a plurality of shock-absorbers, for example,rubber, spring, drop-weight, hydrodynamic or other shock-absorbentinserts may be set into the line at its tie or anchoring portion tominimize shock-stresses with storms or collision.

In some embodiments, lines may comprise non-stretching braided orfluorocarbon filament. In some embodiments, lines may comprise asubstrate attachment line segment of 2001 b breaking strength of braidedfishing line, carbon fiber line or fluorocarbon monofilament and mayfurther comprise clips and swivels at the substratum/anchor of similarstrength rating.

In some embodiments, frames, line, swivels, clips, turnbuckles, floatsand masses may be set with antifouling treatments (for example,antifouling paints) as necessary.

In some embodiments, the ring mount may be fabricated with a clip, loop,line, wire or tie or similar element for attachment to the support line,wire, rod or framework incorporated therein.

Reference numerals used in the figures are as follows:

FIG. Label Figure Item Name/Description FIG. 1 The ring mount assembly 101 A ring mount.  102 A segment of line or wire, or a fine cable tie. 103 A (coral) propagule: a living portion of the nursery-targetorganism intended for nursery culture and propagation.  104 A propaguleset against a ring mount for securing with a tie, wire or line.  105Wrapping the propagule to the ring mount using the segment of line, wireor tie.  106 A knot, tie ratchet or wire twist tightly securing the(coral) propagule and ring mount, to be termed a Ring Mount Assembly orPlanting Unit FIG. 2 Ring mount (assembly) attachment to a midwatersupport line.  201 Draped, loosely tensioned or adjustably tensionedline.  202 Passing a loop of the tensioned line through the ring mountand around the ring mount assembly.  203 A tightened and adjusted looparound the ring mount assembly, securing the assembly into the tensionedline.  204 A tensioned line securely holding the ring mount assembly.FIG. 3 Ring mount attachment to midwater support tensioned line, wire,rod or frame  301 Permanently tensioned line, wire or rigid rod.  302 Awrap of tie, wire or line segment wrapping through the ring mountassembly and around the tensioned line, wire or rod.  303 A tightenedwrap of tie, wire or line around the supporting tensioned line, wire orrod to secure the ring mount assembly into a location in the line, wireor rod.  304 A tightened line knot, ratchet or twisted wire securing thering mount-coral assembly into the line, wire or rod. FIG. 4Pre-prepared ring mount  401 A pre-set (coral) propagule attachment lineof the fabricated ring mount.  402 A one-way tightening tapered orratcheted groove or perforation in the fabricated ring mount  403 A(coral) propagule held against a fabricated ring mount  404 Theattachment line of the fabricated ring mount wrapping around the (coral)propagule  405 the attachment line of the fabricated ring mount beingpassed through the tightening tapered or ratcheted groove or perforation 406 The attachment line of the fabricated ring mount being drawnthrough the one-way tightening groove/perforation to tighten permanentlyand secure the (coral) propagule to the fabricated ring mount to form aring mount-coral assembly.  407 the tightened line securing the (coral)propagule to the fabricated ring mount as a ring mount-coral assembly 408 the remaining “tail” length of the attachment line, clipped shortonce the (coral) propagule is secure.  409 A fabricated ring mountnursery line with ring mounts fabricated therein.  410 A plurality offabricated ring mounts set to a fabricated line at regular intervals 411 A hook and/or clip assembly as fabricated into the ring mount  412A hook and/or clip closure gap into which the tensioned support linefits  413 A tensioned line, wire, rod or frame  414 A hook and/or clipassembly closed securely over the tensioned line, wire, rod or frameelement.  415 A ring mount assembly in healing and growth position, asclipped securely to the tensioned line, wire, rod or frame element FIG.5 Out-planting the ring mount  501 An established ring mount assembly or(coral) planting unit ready for planting  502 The action of removal ofthe ring mount from its supporting line, wire or rod by unlooping,cutting, unclipping or untying.  503 The supporting line, wire or rodfrom which the mature ring mount assembly is being removed.  504 Amasonry screw of head slightly wider than the internal diameter of thering mount.  505 The planting substrate, in this case the seabed.  506 Ahole drilled into the substrate  507 Threading the screw through thering mount and screwing the screw into the hole in the substrate.  508The screw head, tightly securing the ring mount assembly to thesubstrate.  509 The ring mount as a washer, secured to the plantedsubstrate by the screw.  510 The tissue of the planted coral heldsecurely in contact with the substrate.  511 Eventual overgrowth by theplanted coral of the screw head, ring mount and substrate, includingfurther growth, as is the intention of some embodiments of theinvention. FIG. 6A-6B Ring mounts with clasping and stabilizingvariations  601 A ring mount fabricated with variation  602 A pair offabricated spring pincers intended to grip the (coral) propagule.  603The propagule intended for culture  604 The ring mount with fabricatedpincers (variation) clasping the coral propagule as ring mount assembly. 605 A fabricated line extending from one of the pincer arms.  606 Aone-way tightening tapered or ratchetting through- passage or grove inone of the pincer arms.  607 The pincer arms wrapping the propagulewhile the line passes through the one-way tightening device to securethe arms around the propagule as the ring mount assembly.  608 A rigidstabilizing perpendicular pillar variation incorporated into thefabricated ring mount emanating from the ring mount in two directions 609 The edge of the ring mount and length of the rigid shaft set firmlyagainst the coral propagule and secured with a wire, line or tie.  610 Arigid stabilizing perpendicular pillar variation incorporated into thefabricated ring mount emanating in only one direction from the ringmount.  611 A short “foot” rigid stabilizing pillar variationincorporated into the fabricated ring mount emanating in parallel fromthe ring mount.  612 A propagule of intention to grow in a single“upwards” direction perpendicular to the ring mount.  613 A ring mountassembly variation wherein the longer single-direction linear propaguleis held by the wire, tie or line atop the ring mount's parallel foot andalong and in contact with the perpendicular stabilizing pillar as ringmount assembly. FIG. 7 Upright grip mount for ring mount.  701 Abase-plate for upright grip mount attachment to ring mount.  702 One toseveral barbed holding stalks.  703 The propagule intended for securingin culture.  704 The action of pressing the propagule between theholding stalks until held in contact with base plate.  705 The propaguleheld secure within the barbed holding stalks against the base plate asthe ring mount assembly.  706 A securing line incorporated into anupright grip mount for the ring mount.  707 A one-way tightening taperedor ratcheted groove or perforation in the upright grip mount.  708 Thesecuring line wrapping around the propagule and holding stalks.  709 Thesecuring line running through the one-way tightening tapered orratcheted groove or perforation to tighten, securing the base plate,propagule and holding stalks together as the ring mount assembly.  710 Amature upright grip ring mount assembly prepared for planting, havingovergrowth the stalks, base plate and a portion of the ring mount. FIG.8 Settled recruit button mount as ring mount variation  801 A corallarvae settlement snap.  802 The through-hole of the larvae settlementsnap.  803 A settled (coral) larvae or microfragment propagule.  804 Afabricated securing line wrapping the settlement snap and ring mount. 805 The securing line passing through a one-way tightening perforation. 806 The securing line being pulled tight through the one-way tighteningperforation to secure the button (with settled larvae or propagule) tothe ring mount.  807 The remainder tail of the tightened securing linecut away.  808 The settlement snap secured tightly to the ring mount asring mount assembly.  809 A button for a settlement snap variationincorporated into a ring mount.  810 A larvae settlement snap beingpressed over the ring mount button until secure  811 A ring mountbutton-secured snap and juvenile coral as ring mount assembly.  812 Thethrough-snap pressed ring mount button visible on the opposite side ofthe snap, indicating secure attachment for larvae or propagule growth. 813 An established recruit or propagule, having overgrown the snap,button and portion of the ring mount, ready to be planted. FIG. 9Soft-tensioned support system for ring mount (coral) nursery culture. 901 A midwater float.  902 A support line, wire or rod.  903 A ringmount assembly attachment point to the support line, wire or rod.  904 Aring mount assembly held at and supported by the line, wire or rod.  905A benthic anchor for the buoyant tensioned line or supported wire orrod.  906 The substrate or seabed.  907 The sea surface.  908 A surfacebuoy.  909 A tensioning mass beneath the surface buoy. FIG. 10 Hardtensioned support system for ring mount nursery culture 1001 A ringmount assembly supported on its line, wire, rod or frame. 1002 A line,wire, rod or frame held rigid within a primary structural frame. 1003 Arigid primary structural frame. 1004 A supportive leg for a frameelevated from the seafloor, as a table 1005 A supportive buoy for aframe elevated to mid-water between buoys and anchors. FIG. 11A, Ringmounts set to larger and established corals. 11B, 11C, and11D 1101 Alarge wild coral on the reef to be relocated in fragments. 1102 Anestablished coral branch intended to be relocated. 1103 A ring mountattached to an established coral branch as ring mount assembly orplanting unit 1104 A ring mount attached to, and overgrown by, a largercoral branch in preparation for harvest, a planting unit. 1105 Theaction of cutting or fracturing the coral branch below the overgrownring mount in harvest as a planting unit. 1106 A large nursery coral ona drop-line type elevating coral nursery intended to be planted. 1107 Asupport structure of an elevated or midwater coral nursery. 1108 Thedrop-line attachment of an elevated or midwater coral nursery. 1109 Theovergrowth of the drop-line of a mature coral under nursery culture.1110 A ring mount attached to an established coral branch under nurseryculture as a planting unit 1110a A ring mount with the perpendicularstabilizing pillar (610) attached to an established coral branch undernursery culture as a planting unit. 1111 A ring mount with or withoutperpendicular pillar overgrown by the coral branch in the nursery as aplanting unit prepared for planting. 1112 The action of cutting orfracturing the planting unit at a point immediately below the overgrownring mount. 1113 A large, intact coral branch in place to be planted tothe planting substrate. 1114 The hard planting substrate, in this casethe seafloor. 1115 The cut base of the coral branch in contact with theseafloor in preparation for securing. 1116 The ring mount set to theseabed in preparation for securing. 1117 A masonry screw to be used tosecure the large planting unit coral to the seabed. 1118 A hole drilledin the seabed to accept the masonry screw via the ring mount, as awasher, to secure the planting unit to the seabed. 1119 A large coralplanted to and established on the seabed. 1120 The ring mount, screw andsurrounding seabed overgrown by the fully established planted coral.FIG. 12A, Ring mounts on supporting bases under table or ex situ 12B,and raceway and tank culture. 12C 1201 A base for the elevated malesupport as a table, tray, frame or similar. 1202 A vertical coneelevator. 1203 A ring mount assembly. 1204 A ring mount assembly passedover the cone until securely elevated above the base. 1205 A threadedvertical elevator in a vertical configuration. 1206 A lower threadedelevating nut or rubber ring on the threaded elevator. 1207 A threadednut or rubber ring. 1208 The ring mount assembly held aloft between thelower and upper threaded nuts or rubber rings on the vertical elevator.1209 An elevator with a permanent lower stop-point in a verticalorientation 1210 A tightly-fitting rubber ring. 1211 A ring mountassembly held securely aloft between the lower permanent elevatingstop-point and the upper rubber ring. 1212 An elevator with asemi-enclosed ring holding device at its top. 1213 A ring mount assemblyheld securely inverted and above the base in the semi-enclosed holdingdevice. 1214 A ring mount including a pin device opposite the coralattachment line, exemplified as an inverted ring mount assembly. The pindevice may be the tensioned line clip (414) 1215 An elevator with aholding device for the ring mount pin. 1216 A ring mount assembly withmounting pin secured to the elevator's pin holding device, holding thering mount assembly inverted above the base.

General Considerations

Coral material for nursery culture is often rare on the wild reef, thusof high-value necessitating high-survivorship.

Setting coral propagules to in situ (in the sea) nursery culture is timeconsuming including high-cost boat and SCUBA diver time.

Most nursery designs of the current state-of-the-art generate a productcoral that has grown in several directions, thus is not readily plantedto a planar substrate.

Most nursery and planting systems of the current state-of-the-art relyon adhesives and cements. Tissue covered by these materials is lost, andthe time to curing allows for losses to inclement seas and faunaldamage.

Most planting processes in the state of the art do not allow plantingduring any but the calmest sea conditions, particularly of largercorals.

Most nursery designs of the current state-of-the-art have discretenursery growth and planting stages and/or mechanisms and processes withlittle integration.

Most in situ coral nursery designs are not moveable for pending stormnor bleaching.

Out-planting of nursery grown material is laborious, usually requiringSCUBA.

Larger corals fare better on the wild reef, though larger corals are notnecessarily available from nursery culture.

With targeted per-coral placement, survivorship of out-plants may begreatly improved.

Benefits to the Above Described Tensioned-Line Systems Over CurrentState of the Art:

Nursery mount and substrate (planting) mount within the same ring mountdevice.

Allows for use of screws in planting the coral, as the ring mount actsas a washer with the coral securely attached and overgrowing.

Direct, mechanical securing to seafloor allows secure, upright plantingof larger corals.

Coral is secure immediately, without waiting for adhesives or cements tocure.

Corals may be planted securely under relatively rough sea conditions.

Planting is per-coral discrete, without requiring efficiencies ofpatch-planted rosettes as with cement.

Readily available parts in its most basic embodiments.

Coral propagules may be set to a known number of ring mounts at harvest,eliminating overharvest waste.

Rapid deployment underwater in setting propagules to ring mounts andring mount assemblies to support nursery.

Ring mount assemblies may be removed or relocated within the line orsystem with minimal stress to the coral.

No requirement for removal of fragments from seawater, minimizingstress.

High survivorship of small propagules (>95%) to 6 months inexperimentation.

Vertically orientated nurseries provide full mechanical advantage to thesupport buoy throughout growth & harvest cycles.

In situ frame or ex situ raceway allows large numbers of propagules tobe grown in a small, discrete area.

Ring mount assemblies may be relocated between in situ and ex situculture and vice versa with minimal stress to the propagule either asindividuals or as nursery elements/portions.

Horizontal frame allows uniform and maximum light exposure to allisolates in culture, suggesting maximized growth rates.

Offers greatly improved planting efficiencies to other, possibly moreproductive coral nursery methods, including capacity for partial harvestleaving remainders in the nursery to continue to grow.

System may be easily elevated, sunk or relocated in their entireties forbleaching/hardening, storms, experimentation etc.

Improved survivorship with targeted per-coral planting placement allowsmuch smaller out-plants with little increase in mortality.

Smaller propagules reduce the impact to the parent coral, while smallerout-plants allows for greater coverage of the seafloor in species and/orecosystem enhancement or restoration under silvicultural themes.

An embodiment of this invention is also applicable to ex situ culture inland-based tanks or raceways, including for aquarium industry sale.

The skilled person will be aware of a range of possible modifications ofthe various embodiments described above.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of securing a ring mount device to acoral propagule in an elevated nursery system, comprising the steps of:securing an outer surface of a ring mount device directly to a coralpropagule, the ring mount device operable to be at least partiallyovergrown and permanently secured into tissues or skeleton, or both, ofthe coral propagule; removing the coral propagule with the secured ringmount device from the elevating nursery system; and through-inserting amale fastener through the ring mount device, wherein the ring mountdevice with the coral propagule is operable to be physically secured toa natural or artificial substrate; wherein the ring mount device withthe coral propagule is further operable to be planted.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the ring mount device further comprises acoral-elevating plinth.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the ring mountdevice further comprises a coral-securing wire.
 4. The method of claim1, wherein the ring mount device further comprises a line.
 5. The methodof claim 1, wherein the ring mount device further comprises a tie. 6.The method of claim 1, wherein the ring mount device is configured toanchor the coral propagule based on a predetermined coral propagulesize.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the ring mount device isconfigured to anchor the coral propagule based on morphology.
 8. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the ring mount device is configured to anchorthe coral propagule based on a nursery structure.
 9. The method of claim1, wherein the ring mount device is configured to anchor the coralpropagule based on planting location.
 10. The method of claim 1, whereinthe ring mount device is configured to anchor the coral propagule basedon conditions.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the ring mount devicecomprises a wire for securing it into a nursery structure or nurserysystem.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the ring mount devicecomprises a line for securing it into a nursery structure or nurserysystem.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the ring mount devicecomprises a clip for securing it into a nursery structure or nurserysystem.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the ring mount devicecomprises a clamp for securing it into a nursery structure or nurserysystem.